Self-closing umbrella



(No Model.)

J. H. SPRAGUE. SELF CLOSING UMBRELLA.

No. 521,828.. v Patented June 26, 1894.

PIC-3-3.,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. SPRAGUE, OF NORWALK, OHIO.

SELF-CLOSING UMBRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 521,828, dated June 26,1894. Application filed November 29,1898. erial No. 492,378. (No model.)

, a stick so constructed as to permit of a releaseof the umbrella-runnerand a consequent lowering of the umbrella by a pressure upon the lowerspring-catch commonly employed forsecuring the umbrella in a closedposition. Heretofore means have been provided for lowering or releasingthe umbrella-runner by a pressure upon the lower spring-catch, but suchmeans were complicated, difficult of manufacture, frail, and for thosereasons undesirable. By my invention however, I accomplish the sameresult with a much simpler means and at a less cost of manufacture andwith an increase of durability. By such an arrangement numerousadvantages arise in the handling of an umbrella, as for instance, butone hand is required to lower the umbrella, in that as soon as therunner is released the ribs on the stretchers will by reason of theirpressure cause the umbrella to lower completely and close. Butone handis therefore required in the operation, and the other may be employed inholding bundles and other articles that need not be laid down for thepurpose of closing the umbrella. A person entering a doorway during arainstorm can conveniently close the umbrella as he enters and avoidturning around and reaching out in the rain to close it; also whenattacked by sudden gusts of wind that tend to invert the umbrella aquick closing of the the user of umbrellas.

My invention therefore consists in certain features of constructionhereinafter specified and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings :-Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of anumbrella-stick constructed in accordance with my in vention. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinalsectional view of the same, the movable plugs beingshown in elevation. Fig. 3 represents enlarged sections of the upper andlower plugs, the inter- -mediate connecting-wire being broken away orshown as disconnected, and the springcatches shown in elevation.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

Ihave illustrated my invention applied to a tubular stick and prefer toemploy the same in connection with such stick. In the present instancethe stick 1 is, as before stated, tubular and therefore of metal, andthe same is provided with the upper slot 2 and the lower slot 3 designedfor the reception of the upper and lower spring-catches 4 and 5,respectively. The upper spring-catch 4 consists of the lower widened end6, perforated and designed to fit snugly in the bore of the stick thereduced spring-shank 7, and the upper head-portion Sis provided at itsouter side with the shouldered catch-end 9 and above the same with anupward projection having an inclined rounded or cam-surface 10. A rivet11 is passed through the perforated lower end of the catch and securesthe same within the tube. The tendency of the spring-shank is such as tonormally press the shouldered-portion 9 outward through the upper slot2, whereby it lies in the path of the runner 12 of the umbrella. Thelower spring-catch consists of the widened head 14 formed at the upperend thereof and perforated and of such width as to fit snugly in thebore of the stick; furthermore in the depending spring-shank' ldand inthe lower head 16 whose lower edge is rounded as at 17. A rivet 18passes through the upper perforated widened portion 14 of the catch 5and retains the same in position. of the spring-shank 15 is to throw thelower head 16 through the slot 3 of the stick.

Above the upper end of the spring-catch 4 and below the lower end of thespring-catch 5, are, in the present instance movable metal plugs 20 and21, respectively. These plugs 20 and 21 are provided at one side withkerfs 22, in which are seated the opposite ends of a connecting-wire 23,the ends being secured in any desired manner in the kerfs, as forinstance, by upsetting the edges of the slots thereover or otherwise.Each of these plugs is provided, the upper upon its under side and thelower upon its upper side, with inclined slots 24, which slots receiverespectively the upper rounded or cam-end 10 of the upper catch and thelower rounded edge 17 of the lower catch, the wire being of such lengthas to maintain them in position upon said ends. It will be seen that theplugs are normally in their elevated positions and are not operated uponby the inclined slots; and, it will furthermore be seen that the saidslots are arranged at variance with each other. By reason of theirarrangement it will be seen that when the lower spring-catch is pressedinward by the thumb against the tension of its spring-shank the roundededge portion 17 thereof will operate upon the inclined face of theslot'of the lower plug and by reason of the inclination of the latterand the im movability of the spring-catch, said plug will be caused todescend within the tube or stick and through the medium of itsconnectingwire will draw upon the upper plug. This plugwill descend andoperate upon the rounded or camface 10 at the upper end of the uppercatch 4, which will cause the said upper end to be drawn inward andhence withdrawn from the path of the runner. The tension or pressure ofthe ribs on the stretchers of the umbrella-frame will cause the umbrellato quickly and conveniently close and the runner to descend the stickand engage with the lower catch 5. Of course a release of the lowercatch from the pressure of the thumb will return the parts to theirnormal positions, in which they are held by the part 10 of the catch 4and by the rivet 27 above the upper plug, in that the lower catch willmove forward and no longer bear upon theinclined face of the slot of thelower plug, and the upper catch will spring forward and ride against theinclined face of the slot of the upper plug forcing the latter upward. Ithus accomplish the various objects set forth at the beginning of thespecification in a very simple, efficieut, and convenient manner, theconstruction being extremely durable and not likely to become impairedby frequent use.

To all appearances the umbrella is of the ordinary pattern, and can beoperated the same, the mechanism for accomplishing the lowering beingentirely hidden within the tube of the stick.

I do not limit my invention to the precise details of constructionherein shown and described, but hold that I may vary the same to anydegree and extent within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic.

I-Iaving described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combinationwith an umbrella stick having upper and lower slots; of the upper andlower catches provided with rounded portions, and upper and lowerconnected plugs mounted for simultaneous movement within the stick andadapted to be engaged by the rounded portions of said catches,substantially as set forth. it

2. The combination with an umbrella-stick having slots, and upper andlower springcatches, of upper and lower plugs having inclined facesadapted to be moved against by the spring-catches, and an intermediateconnecting-wire between the plugs, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with an umbrella-stick having upper and lower slotsand upper and lower spring-catches having at their opposing outer endsrounded faces, of upper and lower plugs arranged at the rounded faces ofthe catches and having inclined slots receiving said rounded faces andopposing the same, and an intermediate connecting-wire for the plugs,substantially as specified.

4. The combination with the tubular stick having the upper and lowerslots, and the upper and lower catches pivoted therein and having theirshouldered portions extending through the slot, the upper catch havingat its upper end the inclined rounded projection 10, and the lower catchhaving at its lower end the rounded edge 17, of the upper and lowerplugs slidably mounted in the tubular stick above and below the catchesand provided at their inner ends with inclined slots receiving therounded parts of the catches,

and with kerfs, and a connecting-wire let into the kerfs and having themetal upset thereover, substantially as specified.

5. The hollow umbrella stick having upper and lower slots, and the upperand lower spring catches arranged in the stick and projecting throughthe slots thereof, in combination with the upper and lower connectedplugs mounted to move simultaneously, said plugs being engaged by thecatches, and a rivet 27 to limit the movement of the upper plug,substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy siguaturein the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES II. SPRAGUE. Witnesses: I

NICK SMITH, HENRY S. MITCHELL.

IIO

